Italy
/ˈɪtəli/noun
A country in southern Europe occupying the Italian Peninsula and several islands.
Did you know?The name ultimately spread from a small southern Italian region and was later expanded by Rome to cover the entire peninsula, turning a local tribal name into a world-famous identity.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Roman Italy
Oscan/Italic
Víteliú
“A southern Italian tribal or regional name, often interpreted as 'land of calves' or 'land of cattle'.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Italia
“The name used for parts of southern Italy, later broader areas of the peninsula.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Italia
“Italy, first a region in the south and then the whole peninsula.”
Late Latin
Latin
Italia
“The geographic and political name for the Italian peninsula under Roman and post-Roman usage.”
Old French
Old French
Italie
“The medieval French form of the country name.”
Modern English
English
Italy
“The modern name of the country.”